“Wandering Wolf” OR-7 May have Found a Gal…

Remote cameras indicate famous Pacific wolf may have found a mate and started a family

OREGON (May 12, 2014) – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has just announced that it believes “OR-7,” the state’s closely tracked and much-loved “wandering wolf” may have found a mate, and that the pair could be caring for pups. OR-7 has wandered back and forth from California to Oregon several times over the past few years.

The following is a statement from Suzanne Stone, Northern Rockies Representative, Defenders of Wildlife:

“This is a great sign for wolf recovery in the Pacific West, and indeed some of the most exciting news we’ve had since OR-7 re-visited California back in February. This would be the first wolf breeding in the Oregon Cascades in nearly 100 years!

“It looks like OR-7 set out from his pack in northern Oregon in September 2011 to find his mate and set up territory closer to California. If OR-7 did indeed find a mate in the wild and they are successfully breeding, it is only a matter of time before California once again boasts an established population of wolves. This is great news and the state must protect them so that they can thrive there as they once did.”

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Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit www.defenders.org and follow us on Twitter @DefendersNews.

Each year, as wild bison wander beyond the borders of Yellowstone National Park in search of food, Montana livestock officials demand that these iconic animals be rounded up and shipped to slaughter houses to keep them out of Montana and to keep their numbers low.